Maternity Bras: Why Needed and When

A maternity bra becomes necessary because during her pregnancy, it is inevitable for a woman to have larger and heavier breasts. For quite a few women with small breasts, this is a great feeling. At around eight to ten weeks this usually happens and then it is the time to replace their regular bras with a maternity bra. There is a simple rule to follow to determine the best time to purchase a maternity bra. This time would be when her regular bra becomes quite uncomfortable. In many cases, the breasts are not only heavy but are sore as well. To prevent the breasts from stretching, (They have no muscles, only ligaments) an expectant mom should make sure she is getting the proper support from her bra.

A maternity bra is often interchangeable with a nursing bra. There is a slight difference between these two since maternity bras have the special capability of accommodating the expansion of the breasts as they grows in size throughout the pregnancy.

Some factors to consider when shopping for what would be considered an ideal maternity bra.

1. As breasts become more sensitive, there is a need to consider the coverage of the fabric around the breast area. Full coverage from the maternity bra gives added comfort.
2. For extra support, the straps (preferably firm and elastic), sides and under-bust band should be wide. A deep center on the front can give added support as well. Such straps can prevent digging into the shoulders.

3. It is often the case that expectant mothers feel hot. Therefore, maternity bras are made of cotton fabric to allow the skin to breathe more freely and prevent sweating.

4 Since breasts expand in size throughout the course of pregnancy, one needs to consider the overall adjustability of the maternity bra. We recommend that four rows of eyes (hook and eye) in the back at a minimum will suffice to permit the bra to grow as the expectant mother advances in her pregnancy. It is not advisable to purchase a loose fitting bra early in the pregnancy to accommodate the growth that will come in the later months of pregnancy. You must remember, the primary purpose of a bra is for support and a loose fitting bra countermands support. For these reasons, a maternity bra is recommended.